Crossword Genius

Ambassador and politician showing fibre (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hemp

'fibre' is the definition.
(hemp is a kind of fibre)

'ambassador and politician' is the wordplay.
'ambassador' becomes 'he' (His or Her Excellency).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'politician' becomes 'mp'.
'he'+'mp'='HEMP'

'showing' is the link.

(Other definitions for hemp that I've seen before include "Marijuana" , "Narcotic drug" , "Rope-making fibre" , "Plant for rope or pot" , "Rope, cannabis, plant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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